I was contacted a couple of weeks ago by a writer for aolhealth.com. As I always say…any and all times we have the opportunity to talk about Epilepsy, it’s a good thing!

Why don’t more people ‘Talk about It’? In other words, why is it so difficult to speak freely and honestly about Epilepsy and seizures?

Epilepsy advocates come in many different varieties. They can be those of us who live with Epilepsy, family members or good friends of those with Epilepsy, doctors and others in the medical field who deal each day with Epilepsy…or simply people who understand this complex world, and care.

When I began writing about living with Epilepsy, I decided I wanted to tell both my story and the stories of others, those who live with the disease and those who are connected to those who live with it.

I discovered something I’ve been saving for nearly 8 years. It’s a wire chest full of get-well cards and notes that people sent me in early 2003 when I got sick and received my diagnosis of encephalitis and meningitis. There are literally hundreds of cards, emails, photos, notes.

This is an open question for all of you with college-aged kids, or kids who are approaching college-age. What are your options? Have you consulted with your neurologist(s) regarding this question? Do you know of any universities or small private colleges with programs?

Epilepsy is one of those illnesses that sort of has tentacles. If you are suffering, you tend to bring others down with you, whether it’s with their concern or their care; but, only the ones who deeply care and want to, or already do understand the condition.

I had the most amazing experience Tuesday. It was something I had on my ‘to-do’ list for some time now. I visited Camp Discovery, the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan’s 5 day-4 night summer camp for kids with Epilepsy.

Did I lose my job because of my Epilepsy? I hear and read that people feel they have lost their employment due to their seizures, and it’s something I have considered for months and months. Could they have? Would they have? Was it my seizures that led them to tell me there was no longer a spot for me?

I was told that one of my daughter’s friends will not be able to come over to our house for a play date because of my ‘situation’ as it was termed. The mother does not want to expose her child to ‘anything scary’, i.e. a seizure.